Howard Smith (1928–2021) was a vibrant, multifaceted force who brought a splash of African-American energy to the Finnish design scene. Moving to Finland in the 1960s, he became a celebrated artist, designer, and sculptor, known for his bold use of primary colors and striking silhouettes. His collaboration with Vallila resulted in iconic, large-scale textile prints, while his ceramic birds and figures for Arabia radiate a sense of rhythm and joy. Smith’s work is a masterful fusion of modern minimalism and soulful, expressive storytelling that remains timelessly cool.

(Howard Smith photo: Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom)